Motor-driven golf ball circumscription marker

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a speedy, accurate, hand held, motor driven device for marking golf balls; the circumscribed ballpoint or felt tip ink marker on the golf ball materially assisting proper alignment of the face of a putter relative to a desired path to the hole on the green. 
     Prior to marking the golf ball, the shaft of the golf ball holder is inserted and secured in a variable chuck or appropriate hex socket in a conventional portable, handheld, battery operated rotary device, such as, a battery-operated screwdriver, nut driver, or electric drill. 
     Energizing the rotary device while the golf ball is snugly inserted into the golf ball holder permits marking the equatorial circumference of the golf ball. Upon completing the marking, the golf ball is extracted from the golf ball holder by placing an extraction tool in the aperture of the holder and prying the golf ball loose.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EPS-WEB)

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

Golfers want to improve their game and lower their handicap; a relatively recent attempt to improving putting, is the introduction of one or more circumscribed lines on the golf ball to assist alignment from the head of the putter towards a path to the desired hole on the green.

The present invention involves both a critical moving article of the sport of golf and the marking thereof. Consequently, the present invention is associated with several technical fields, namely, Printing/Special Article Machines, Games Using Tangible Projectiles, and Golf.

2. Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Within the past few decades, numerous inventions have endeavored to improve putting performance on the golf course green by utilizing symbols and circumscribed lines on the golf ball to improve alignment from the head of a putter along the intended path of the golf ball to the hole on the green.

Some of these inventions involve machinery primarily intended for use in a workshop, not on the golf course. Conversely, some of the inventions entail use of a smaller, simpler, less accurate device that could be used at the workshop or could be handheld for use on a golf course to mark the golf ball for a particular game or putting situation.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,027,474; MARKING DEVICE FOR GOLF BALLS; U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,768; BALL MARKING DEVICE; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,820,228; TOOL FOR USE IN MARKING A GOLF BALL are incorporated herein by reference for purposes of indicating the background of the present invention or illustrating the mature state of the art.

Also, some inventions are specific for handheld use. U.S. Pat. No. 7,047,877; HAND HELD DEVICE FOR MARKING A GOLF BALL; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,971; GOLF BALL MARKING DEVICE AND GOLF PUTTING ALIGNMENT SYSTEM are incorporated herein by reference for purposes of indicating the background of the present invention or illustrating the mature state of the art.

Differentiating the present invention from the prior art includes hand-held motor driven rotation of the golf ball to be circumscribed, not manual rotational manipulation. In addition, once the golf ball is inserted into the present invention it need not be manually manipulated until the circumscription is complete, which permits accurate markings.

-   -   Contemporary golf ball marking machines tend to fall into one or         two categories: either the machine is too cumbersome for use on         the golf course or the golf ball rests in an open cup and is not         snuggly held for accurate marking.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Contrary to contemporary golf ball marking machines which tend to be cumbersome and heavy, primarily intended for use in a shop, the present invention, although motor driven for the uniformity and accuracy of the circumscribed line, is portable and may be used on the golf links as it is powered by conventional battery-operated low rpm hand tools, such as an electric screwdriver, nut driver or an electric drill.

An object of the present invention is portability; the battery powered device easily fits in any conventional golf bag and consequently can be used anywhere on the golf links. Another object of the present invention is ease of use; neither training nor special skills are required. Yet another object of the present invention is accuracy; the invention produces an accurate marking on the equatorial circumference of the golf ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of the present invention, shown with a golf ball (not claimed in the present invention) positioned in the golf ball holder 9, holder 9 capable of holding a single golf ball for circumscription, the golf ball snuggly resting against the upper interior surface 11 and the equatorial circumference of the golf ball level with upper circumferential surface 12. The bottom 17 of holder 9 firmly and permanently attached to the shaft 16, which may be either smooth or preferably hexagonally, in cross-section, for insertion into a battery powered low rpm rotational device, such as a battery powered electric screwdriver or an electric drill, (not claimed in the present invention), the battery powered device featuring a variable chuck or an appropriate hex socket. An appropriate marking device (not claimed in the present invention) is then positioned at the juncture of upper circumferential surface 12 with the equatorial circumference of the golf ball. The rotational device may then be rotated, suitably marking the entire equatorial circumference of the golf ball. Upon marking the golf ball, the golf ball can readily be extracted from golf ball holder 9 by inserting a suitable extraction tool (not claimed in the present invention) in the aperture defined by outer edge of aperture 14 and inner edge of aperture 15 until the extraction tool is seated beneath the golf ball and the golf ball is easily pried loose.

FIG. 2 the present invention is shown in top view, showing the inner edge of the aperture 15 in contact with lower interior surface 13 and upper interior surface 11 adjacent to upper circumferential surface 12.

FIG. 3 the present invention is shown in a sectional view of golf ball holder 9, further illustrating the inclined slope of the aperture, the outer edge of the aperture 14 being above the inner edge of the aperture 15, inner edge of aperture 15 opening onto lower interior surface 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a device for firmly holding a golf ball (not claimed in the present invention, “golf ball” and “golfball” are equivalent and interchangeable) while circumscribing an accurate guide marking on the surface of the golf ball towards improving the putting skills of the player. The golf ball holder 9 can easily be handheld and is powered by a battery powered low rpm rotary tool such as a screwdriver or small electric drill (not claimed in the present invention) featuring an adjustable chuck or hex socket to accommodate hex shaft 16, hex shaft 16 made of metal, and firmly and permanently attached to exterior bottom 17 of golf ball holder 9.

Golf ball holder 9 is carefully machined to precisely accommodate one half of a somewhat pliant golf ball. A golf ball intended to be marked is inserted in the top of golf ball holder 9, fitting snugly against the upper interior surface 11 and lower interior surface 13. When inserted fully, the golf ball is held securely, not independently rotatable, in the golf ball holder 9 and the equatorial circumference of the golf ball is aligned with upper circumferential surface 12. The golf ball is now properly and securely in place for circumscribing a putting guide marker by placing a marking device, such as a ballpoint pen or felt tip marker, (not claimed in the present invention) in contact with both the golf ball and the upper circumferential surface 12 and energizing the battery powered rotational device connected to the hex shaft 16.

Upon completing the marking operation, the golf ball is removed by placing an extraction tool, such as a small screwdriver or thin rod, (not claimed in the present invention) into the aperture of a duct piercing the wall of golf ball holder 9 from the exterior surface 10 through to the interior surface 13, the separation between the outer edge of the aperture 14 and the inner edge of the aperture 15 sufficiently large to permit insertion of the extraction tool until the extraction tool is positioned underneath the golf ball, touching the lower interior surface 13 permitting the golf ball then to be pried loose with the extraction tool. This duct maybe either bored or machined. Subsequent to marking, the golf ball is then easily pried out of the golf ball holder 9 and is ready for use on the putting green.

Golf ball holder 9, is fabricated from a relatively hard material, such as metal, plastic, or hard rubber, that can be machined to snugly accommodate a somewhat pliant golf ball. Holder 9 features at least one aperture, that may be cylindrical, that pierces the holder, the aperture descending, whereby the uppermost outer edge of the aperture is higher than the uppermost circular edge of the inner aperture. A Hex Shaft 16 which is firmly and permanently attached to the holder 9, maybe either smooth or hexagonal to match the receiving portion of the hand-held motor-driven low rpm device (not claimed in the present invention).

Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiment without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, also such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-functions clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited functions and not only the structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hand-held motor-driven golfball circumscription marker, for marking golfballs prior to utilization on a putting green, thereby assisting alignment of the head of the putter club with an intended path from the golfball to the hole on the green, said golfball marker comprising, a golfball holder, said golfball holder fabricated and shaped to snugly receive and affix a golf ball for circumscription of a marking to assist putting, said golfball holder providing placement of the golf ball such that the equator of the golf ball is level with the upper edge of said golfball holder, said golfball holder securely capable of rotation about the polar axis of the golf ball; a shaft, said shaft permanently affixed to the bottom of said golfball holder, for providing rotation to said golfball holder; rotational means for rotating the golf ball holder; marking means for circumscribing the golf ball; circumscribed golf ball extraction means for extracting the golf ball following circumscription; said golfball holder with affixed golf ball readily manipulated by hand to provide circumscription of a golf ball to thereby and subsequently assist alignment of the putter head with the intended path from the golf ball to the hole on the putting green.
 2. A hand-held motor-driven golfball circumscription marker, for marking golfballs prior to utilization on a putting green, as recited in claim 1, wherein the cross-section of said shaft is selected from a group consisting of circular, square, and hexagonal.
 3. A hand-held motor-driven golfball circumscription marker, for marking golfballs prior to utilization on a putting green, as recited in claim 2, wherein said rotational means for rotating the golf ball holder is selected from a group consisting of a battery operated handheld motorized screwdriver, a battery operated handheld electric drill with an adjustable chuck, and a battery operated handheld motorized nut driver.
 4. A hand-held motor-driven golfball circumscription marker, for marking, golfballs prior to utilization on a putting green, as recited in claim 3, wherein said marking means for circumscribing the golf ball is selected from a group consisting of a ballpoint pen, felt tip marker, and an ink pen.
 5. A hand-held motor-driven golfball circumscription marker, for marking golfballs prior to utilization on a putting green, as recited in claim 4, wherein said circumscribed golf ball extraction means for extracting the golf ball following circumscription is at least one aperture piercing the outer shell of said golfball holder, extending beneath the circumscribed golf ball, enabling a simple extraction tool to pry loose the golf ball.
 6. A hand-held motor-driven golfball circumscription marker, for marking golfballs prior to utilization on a putting green, thereby assisting alignment of the head of the putter club with an intended path from the golfball to the hole on the green, said golfball marker comprising, a golfball holder, said golfball holder, having an exterior surface, an upper interior surface, an upper circumferential service, a lower interior surface, a bottom, fabricated and shaped to snugly receive and affix a golf ball for circumscription of a marking to assist putting, said golfball holder providing placement of the golf ball such that the equator of the golf ball is level with the upper edge of said golfball holder, said golfball holder securely capable of rotation about the polar axis of the golf ball; a shaft, said shaft permanently affixed to the bottom of said golfball holder, for providing rotation to said golfball holder; rotational means for rotating the golf ball holder; marking means for circumscribing the golf ball; circumscribed golf ball extraction means for extracting the golf ball following circumscription; said golfball holder with affixed golf ball readily manipulated by hand to provide circumscription of a golf ball to thereby and subsequently assist alignment of the putter head with the intended path from the golf ball to the hole on the putting green.
 7. A hand-held motor-driven golfball circumscription marker, for marking golfballs prior to utilization on a putting green, as recited in claim 6, wherein said shaft is metallic and the cross-section of said shaft is selected from a group consisting of circular, square, and hexagonal.
 8. A hand-held motor-driven golfball circumscription marker, for marking golfballs prior to utilization on a putting green, as recited in claim 7, wherein said rotational means for rotating the golf ball holder is selected from a group consisting of a battery operated handheld motorized screwdriver, a battery operated handheld electric drill with an adjustable chuck, and a battery operated handheld motorized nut driver.
 9. A hand-held motor-driven golfball circumscription marker, for marking, golfballs prior to utilization on a putting green, as recited in claim 8, wherein said marking means for circumscribing the golf ball is selected from a group consisting of a ballpoint pen, felt tip marker, and an ink pen.
 10. A hand-held motor-driven golfball circumscription marker, for marking golfballs prior to utilization on a putting green, as recited in claim 9, wherein said circumscribed golf ball extraction means for extracting the golf bell following circumscription is at least one aperture piercing the outer shell of said golfball holder, extending beneath the circumscribed golf ball, enabling a.simple extraction tool to pry loose the golf ball, said aperture having an outer edge of aperture and inner edge of aperture.
 11. A hand-held motor-driven golfball circumscription marker, for marking golfballs prior to utilization on a putting green, thereby and subsequently assisting alignment of the head of the putter club with an intended path from the circumscribed golfball to the hole on the green, said golfball marker comprising, a golfball holder, said golfball holder, having an exterior surface, an upper interior surface, an upper circumferential surface, a lower interior surface, a bottom, at least one aperture, the outer edge of said aperture piercing said exterior surface, the inner edge of said aperture extending to said lower interior surface beneath the inserted golfball, fabricated and shaped to snugly receive and affix a golf ball for circumscription of a marking to assist putting, said golfball holder providing placement of the golf ball such that the equator of the golf ball is level with the upper edge of said golfball holder, said golfball holder securely capable of rotation about the polar axis of the golf ball; a shaft, said shaft, metallic with a hexagonal cross-section, permanently affixed to said bottom of said golfball holder, for providing transmission of rotation from handheld, battery operated screwdriver to said golfball holder; upon insertion of a golf ball such that the equatorial circumference of the golf ball is level with said upper circumferential surface of said golfball holder and energizing a handheld battery operated screwdriver connected to said shaft, the golf ball rotates about its polar axis, enabling a suitable marking device to circumscribe the golf ball, the golf ball subsequently easily removed by placing a simple probe within said aperture and consequently prying the golf ball loose from said golfball holder, to thereby and subsequently assist alignment of the putter head with the intended path from the golf ball to the hole on the putting green. 